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Christianity is the third largest religion in India and has had long and glorious relations with India. India knew Christianity much before the European countries knew about it. According to legends, Apostle St. Thomas, a disciple of Christ Himself, came to India in 52 A.D preached the Gospel to the Brahmin families of Kerala and established seven Churches and after evangelizing and performing miracles in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, he is believed to have been died in 72 AD at Madras and buried on the site of San Thomé Cathedral. Today, there are about 25 million Christians in India with a majority of population mainly concentrated in the North-Eastern states, Kerala and Goa. Christianity being the third largest religion in India, there are a number of churches all over the country. Some of the most important Christian pilgrimage sites in India are listed below.
Basilica of Bom Jesus , Goa
One of the most famous churches of India, Basilica of Bom Jesus is situated in a beach of Goa. It was built in the year 1695 and is around 300 years old. The church is said to hold the remains of St. Francis Xavier and the body is opened for public display at a particular time of the year and during this time, the church is visited by countless pilgrims from all over the World. Basilica of Bom Jesus church has been declared as the world heritage site.
St. Francis Church, Kochi , Kerala
St. Francis Church, situated in the port city of Kochi in Kerala, St. Francis Church is one of the oldest European church in India. Built in the year 1503, this church stands as an evidence of the history and evolution of Christianity in India. In the year 1503, the then King of Kochi gave permission to Alphonso Alburquerque to build this church, which also illustrates the struggle of European colonies in India. In the year 1524, when Vasco da Gama, a Portuguese explorer died in this port city on his third visit to India and his body was buried in this church. Later the remains of his body were taken back to Libson in Portugal. In the year 1923, the church became a protected monument. This church is as well visited by people from different parts of the World.
Sé Cathedral , Goa
One of the largest churches in India is Sé Cathedral, which is situated in the state of Goa. Dedicated to Catherine of Alexandria, this church was built to honor the victory of Portuguese in a battle against Muslim army, who came to capture the city of Goa. Since this victory accidentally happened on the feast of St. Catherine, the cathedral was dedicated to her. The actual construction began in 1562 and was completed in 1619. Also known as Cross of Miracles, it is believed that there was a vision of Christ in this cathedral.
Velankanni Church , Tamil Nadu
Velankanni Church is one of the most revered Christian pilgrimage sites in India. Named after the hamlet, Velankanni which is located on shores of the Bay of Bengal and about 12 KM from the famous coast of Coromandel, this church is dedicated to 'Lady of health'. Velankanni town has been declared a holy city by the Pope. It has been proved for centuries that Velankanni is known as the “Lourdes of the East”. It is believed that when worshipers offer candles to the Mother Goddess, their ailments get cured and candles that are offered are of different shapes based on the ailment such as heart, lungs etc. The shrine displays a great amalgamation of multicultural, international and religious harmony.
Santa Cruz Basilica , Kerala
One of the oldest churches of India, Santa Cruz Basilica built in 1505 by the Portuguese. Situated in the port city of Cochin in Kerala, the church was elevated to a cathedral by the then pope, Pope Paul IV. The Cathedral was titled Basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1984 and the church was protected, when the Dutch invaded and destroyed other catholic buildings.
Malayatoor Church , Kerala
Malayatoor Church is one of the famous Christian pilgrimage places situated in the Ernakulam district of the state of Kerala in India. St. Thomas the Apostle was the one who started preaching Christianity in Southern India and is believed that he had built it during 52 A.D. This church is located on a hilltop, approximately 10 km from Kalady and has been declared as the international pilgrimage spot by the Vatican City. This Shrine was promoted to Archdiocesan status by Archbishop Mar Varkey Vithayathil on 4th September 1998.
Vallarpadam Church , Kochi, Kerala
Another famous Christian pilgrimage place of India is Vallarpadam Church, which is situated in Cochin in the state of Kerala. Dedicated to the Mother Mary, this Church is also known as The Church of Our Lady of Ransom. Originally, this church was built by the Portuguese in the year 1524, which was later demolished by the Dutch. In the year 1676 it was rebuilt and was named after Mother Marry, who is locally called Vallarpadathamma. In the year 1951, Vallarpadam Church has been declared as an important pilgrimage centre for the Christians by Union Government of India.
Basilica of Bom Jesus , Goa
One of the most famous churches of India, Basilica of Bom Jesus is situated in a beach of Goa. It was built in the year 1695 and is around 300 years old. The church is said to hold the remains of St. Francis Xavier and the body is opened for public display at a particular time of the year and during this time, the church is visited by countless pilgrims from all over the World. Basilica of Bom Jesus church has been declared as the world heritage site.
St. Francis Church, Kochi , Kerala
St. Francis Church, situated in the port city of Kochi in Kerala, St. Francis Church is one of the oldest European church in India. Built in the year 1503, this church stands as an evidence of the history and evolution of Christianity in India. In the year 1503, the then King of Kochi gave permission to Alphonso Alburquerque to build this church, which also illustrates the struggle of European colonies in India. In the year 1524, when Vasco da Gama, a Portuguese explorer died in this port city on his third visit to India and his body was buried in this church. Later the remains of his body were taken back to Libson in Portugal. In the year 1923, the church became a protected monument. This church is as well visited by people from different parts of the World.
Sé Cathedral , Goa
One of the largest churches in India is Sé Cathedral, which is situated in the state of Goa. Dedicated to Catherine of Alexandria, this church was built to honor the victory of Portuguese in a battle against Muslim army, who came to capture the city of Goa. Since this victory accidentally happened on the feast of St. Catherine, the cathedral was dedicated to her. The actual construction began in 1562 and was completed in 1619. Also known as Cross of Miracles, it is believed that there was a vision of Christ in this cathedral.
Velankanni Church , Tamil Nadu
Velankanni Church is one of the most revered Christian pilgrimage sites in India. Named after the hamlet, Velankanni which is located on shores of the Bay of Bengal and about 12 KM from the famous coast of Coromandel, this church is dedicated to 'Lady of health'. Velankanni town has been declared a holy city by the Pope. It has been proved for centuries that Velankanni is known as the “Lourdes of the East”. It is believed that when worshipers offer candles to the Mother Goddess, their ailments get cured and candles that are offered are of different shapes based on the ailment such as heart, lungs etc. The shrine displays a great amalgamation of multicultural, international and religious harmony.
Santa Cruz Basilica , Kerala
One of the oldest churches of India, Santa Cruz Basilica built in 1505 by the Portuguese. Situated in the port city of Cochin in Kerala, the church was elevated to a cathedral by the then pope, Pope Paul IV. The Cathedral was titled Basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1984 and the church was protected, when the Dutch invaded and destroyed other catholic buildings.
Malayatoor Church , Kerala
Malayatoor Church is one of the famous Christian pilgrimage places situated in the Ernakulam district of the state of Kerala in India. St. Thomas the Apostle was the one who started preaching Christianity in Southern India and is believed that he had built it during 52 A.D. This church is located on a hilltop, approximately 10 km from Kalady and has been declared as the international pilgrimage spot by the Vatican City. This Shrine was promoted to Archdiocesan status by Archbishop Mar Varkey Vithayathil on 4th September 1998.
Vallarpadam Church , Kochi, Kerala
Another famous Christian pilgrimage place of India is Vallarpadam Church, which is situated in Cochin in the state of Kerala. Dedicated to the Mother Mary, this Church is also known as The Church of Our Lady of Ransom. Originally, this church was built by the Portuguese in the year 1524, which was later demolished by the Dutch. In the year 1676 it was rebuilt and was named after Mother Marry, who is locally called Vallarpadathamma. In the year 1951, Vallarpadam Church has been declared as an important pilgrimage centre for the Christians by Union Government of India.
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